Union of Concerned Scientists Endorses Local Food Economies

While focused specifically on the United States, this report released in mid-2011 is highly relevant to Australia. It synthesises the existing literature on the economic benefits of food localisation, looking particularly at the job creation benefits of farmers' markets; and the employment and financial implications of a greater demand for seasonal fresh fruit and vegetables. The results are impressive: thousands of new jobs, and hundreds of millions of additional dollars in regional output, farm income and farm wages, would result through increased demand for local fresh produce. The employment and economic benefits are all enhanced if the produce is sold through direct marketing channels, such as farmers' markets and community-supported agriculture enterprises.